Youth is wasted on the young

• ‘Youth is wasted on the young’ is an expression that implies that without the wisdom gained by age, the young cannot yet appreciate what they are experiencing.
• The phrase is usually attributed to the English Playwright, George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), but may be older.

Meaning

• Young people do not appreciate their freedom, opportunities and vitality because they lack the wisdom and perspective that comes with age, to take advantage of these gifts.